BLM demands over R1bn from communities

Tuesday the 2nd of October 2018 was the day on which the Bushbuckridge Executive mayor, along with a team of Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs), ward councillors and other municipal workers took to the streets of College View on a door-to-door campaign in the afternoon to remind the residents to pay their municipal bills and get a 40% discount.

The municipality encouraged residents to ensure that they pay their accounts in order to ensure that the municipality has enough resources to improve service delivery.

“Last year we had a similar campaign whereby residents were offered a 50% discount,” said Aubrey Mnisi, the communications officer for the local municipality of Bushbuckridge.

According to information provided, the municipality is owed a total sum of R1, 2680 000.00 by the residents, businesses and government departments such as schools, libraries and others.

“The only way we would be able to improve service delivery in our communities is through the payment of our accounts. Let’s encourage our neighbours to take advantage of the discount before March 2019.” Mnisi added.

The residents, though, had their fair share of issues against the municipality. Others complained about lack of statement receipts, while others mentioned that they do not receive some of the services they’re expected to pay for, such as water, waste removal, drainage system and others.

The campaign continued on the following day in Dwarsloop Phase 1&2. Joseph Hlatshwayo, a pensioner from phase 1 suggested that the municipality should be lenient and introduce a flat rate of at least R200.00 per month. He also added; “As pensioners we cannot afford to pay more than that, so the municipality must find a way to make it work for us.”

MMC for Finance, Phineas Selowe told the media; “We took a resolution to embark on this programme and also developed an internal programme in terms of revenue enhancement strategy. Last year, through a similar programme we managed to collect R10 million from these communities, and I am hopeful that this year we’ll manage far more than that.”

The executive mayor further said that they will attend to all the concern raised by community members, and that, going forward, every resident from the semi-developed areas should be able to pay their municipal accounts without any hassles.

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